EUVD-2024-50169

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-50169

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

The vulnerability identified in the UserPro plugin for WordPress, specifically in versions up to and including 3.6.0, is a privilege escalation issue. The default value for the 'default_user_role' option is set to 'administrator,' which allows unauthenticated attackers to register as administrator users, even if the registration form is disabled.

Severity Evaluation:

• CVSS Base Score: 9.8
• CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

The high CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical vulnerability. The attack vector (AV:N) is network-based, requiring low attack complexity (AC:L) and no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), making this a severe threat.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

1. Unauthenticated User Registration: An attacker can exploit the default 'administrator' role to register as an admin user.
2. Disabled Registration Form Bypass: Even if the registration form is disabled, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass this restriction.

Exploitation Methods:

1. Direct Registration: An attacker can directly register as an administrator by exploiting the insecure default role.
2. Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to register multiple admin accounts, potentially leading to a complete takeover of the WordPress site.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

Affected Software:

• UserPro Plugin for WordPress
• Versions: Up to and including 3.6.0

Affected Systems:

• Any WordPress installation using the vulnerable versions of the UserPro plugin.
• Systems where the registration form is disabled but the default user role is set to 'administrator.'

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Actions:

1. Update the Plugin: Upgrade to a version higher than 3.6.0 if available.
2. Change Default User Role: Manually change the 'default_user_role' option to a less privileged role, such as 'subscriber.'
3. Disable Registration: Ensure that user registration is disabled until the issue is resolved.

Long-Term Mitigation:

1. Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits of all plugins and themes.
2. Monitoring: Implement monitoring to detect unusual registration activities.
3. Access Controls: Enforce strict access controls and regularly review user roles and permissions.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

The vulnerability poses a significant risk to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly for organizations and individuals using WordPress with the UserPro plugin. The potential for unauthenticated attackers to gain administrative access can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and service disruptions. This underscores the importance of timely patching and regular security assessments to protect against such critical vulnerabilities.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• Vulnerable Code: The issue lies in the 'default_user_role' option being set to 'administrator' by default.
• Exploit Path: The registration process does not properly validate the user role, allowing unauthenticated users to register with administrative privileges.

References:

• Wordfence Threat Intelligence: Wordfence Vulnerability Report
• WordPress Plugin Repository: UserPro Plugin Code
• Changeset: WordPress Changeset

Aliases:

• CVE ID: CVE-2024-9863

Assigner:

• Wordfence

ENISA IDs:

• Product: Miniorange OTP Verification with Firebase (versions ≤3.6.0)
• Vendor: cyberlord92

By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing robust security measures, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation and protect their digital assets.